Keyboard construction and key control



Aug. 31, 1937. M; ARBEL'L- 2.091,77s

KEYBOARD CONSTRUCTION AND KEY CONTROL Original Filed March 24, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ira/19 21011 flax Gareli 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 =a=rl; sc\ aa Original Filed larch 24, 1934 1937; M GARBELL KEYBOARD CONSTRUCTION AND KEY CONTROL Original Filed March 24, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 M GARBELL KEYBbARD CONSTRUCTION AND KEY CONTROL Aug. 31, 1937. M GARBELL v KEYBOARD CONSTRUCTION AND KEY CONTROL Original Filed March 24, 1934 Aug; 31, 1937. M. GARBELL KEYBOARD CONSTRUCTION AND KEY CONTROL Original Filed March 24, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 wvg 1 20197275071- M35 GZZT'ZZ Original Filed March 24, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Aug. 31, 1937. M GARBELL KEYBOARD CONSTRUCTION AND KEY CONTROL I II; lllxlllllllllliln v Aug. 31, 1937. BE 2,091,778

KEYBOARD CONSTRUCTION AND KEY CONTROL Original Filed March 24, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 igzbzess Patented Aug. 31, 1937 2,091,778

UNl'lED STATES PATENT oFF- cr.

.xnrnoann CONSTRUCTION arm mar common I Max Garbell, Chicago, 111., are to Victor Adding Machine Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation oi Delaware Original application March 24, 1934, Serial No. 717,156. Divided and this application November I, 1934, Serial No. 751,812

8 Claiml. (Cl. 235-60) This invention relates to improvements in add- Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view similar ing and recording machines and more particularto Fig. 2 with one of the keys of the keyboard dely to the keyboard construction and key controls. pressed and with the rack or type bar of the Among the many advantages are the construcadding machine as advanced and engaged theretion of a keyboard having keys arranged in banks by. thereon and carried as a unit that may be readily Figure 4 is a detail side elevation of the keyattached or detached from an adding machine or board.

the like, and while attached, the depressing oi Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal detail parthe keys will control and limit the movements of tial sectional view of the front portion of the key- 0 the type bars or racks that are directly below each board and stops coacting therewith. 1o

bank of keys. Figure 6 is an enlarged detail front elevation The chief objects of the invention are the provior the keyboard taken substantially on the line sion of a unitary keyboard provided with a series 8-6 of Fig. 5. of banks of keys that are easily and readily assem- Figure 7 is a detail partial cross-sectional view bled therein and which is adapted to be bodily through the keyboard taken on the line 'l-1 0! 15 positioned on an adding machine for controlling Figs. 2 and 4. g the movements of type bars or racks which coact Figure 8 is a detail cross-sectional view taken therewith. substantially on the line 8-4 of Fig. 2 showing A further object is the provision of stops and the means or supporting one end-of the keyboard 29 looks carried on the keyboard and each controlled and the connection between the slide lock shaft by a bank of keys for determining the positioning and the operating mechanism.

of the type bars or racks during the operation Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken of the machine. substantially on the line 9-8 of Fig. 1, showing A still further object is the provision of locking the signal keys and the control keys in side elemeans for retaining the actuated keys in their vation.

depressed position and being arranged and con- Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken structed to retain the last key dep essed in locked substantially on the line l0ll of Fig. 1, showing depressed position and wherein t e locking means the signal bar controlled by the control keys.

of each bank of-keys controls the releasing locks Figure 11 is a detailed perspective'view of the for the type bars or racks coacting therewith. outer member operable by the signal keys for lock- 30 And a still further object is the provision of a ing the same. i plurality of slide members coacting with each Figure 12 is a detailed perspective of the inner bank of keys and under their control'for effecting member which coacts with the outer member for the positioning of the locks to determine the posilocking the signal keys.

tioning or the type bars or racks and for releas- Figure 13 is a detailed perspective view of the 35 i release oi the keys upon the completion of each keys; and

ably retaining the depressed key in its depressed outer shift member operable under the control of position during the operation of the machine; the signal keys. to provide means on the keyboard under the con- Figure 14 is a detailed perspective view of the trol of the driving mechanism for eflecting the intermediate shiit member operable by the signal 40 operation of the machine. Figure 15 is a detailed perspective view of the Among other features are signal key controls inner shift member operable under the control oi and manually manipulative means for rendering the signal keys. them and and the keys of the keyboard ineffective The present application is a division oi my prior with the driving mechanism to retain the deapplication, Serial No. 117,156, flied March 24. 45 pressed keys in their depressed positions for repeat 1934, for improvements in adding and, recording operations of the machine. 7 machines, and only so much of the machine Other and further objects will become apparent shown and described/in said application as is in the following description and more fully necessary for a full understanding of the subject pointed out in the appended claims. matter claimed in this divisional. application will Relerring to the drawings:--- be shown and described. The reference numerals Figure 1 is a, perspective view of an adding maappearing in the prior application have been emchine showing my keyboard as attached thereto. ployed to designate the corresponding parts 5 Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken herein. 5 substantially on the line 2- -2 of Fig. 1. In the construction of the addinfl machine the extension 69 extends to the right as viewed from the front -of the machine into the adjacent bank of lower order and under the portion of the type bar stop in that bank.

Assuming that one of the digit keys 3| has been depressed in any one of the banks to the left of the first bank shown in Fig. 6, then all of the type bar stops to the right thereof will be carried out of the path of the extension 16 of each of the type bars shown in this view. This permits of a normal given movement of the type bars in the banks of lower order of the keys depressed so that the type carried thereon will be automatically positioned into the printing line upon 5 the operation of the machine.

It will be noted that the stops carried on the keyboard which coact with the type bars or racks are not connected thereto but merely extend into their path of travel, and. as this unit is posi- 10 tioned on the machine, these stops will also be operatively positioned with the type bars or racks.

The keyboard unit is attached to the machine on a pair of studs 29a that are fixed to the side plates 29, and is securely heldin position by means of screws 29b at its other end. The rearward end of the flanges 38 of the top member 38 of the keyboard are provided with bifurcated openings 38b which straddle the pins 29a and as the unit is forced rearwardly until these pins enter the bifurcated openings 38b thereof, the slide lock shaft 55 will be threaded into engagement with a stud 208 pivotally carried on the side plate 29. This stud 200 is provided with a slot opening 209 that receives a tongue 2|0 of the slide lock shaft 55 and when the keyboard is positioned on the machine, the shaft 55 and the stud 208 are aligned for turning movements with each other. The stud 208 has an arm 201 fixed 40 thereto which depends into the path of movement of a pawl 363 which is pivotally carried on a skeleton frame 366 by means of a pin 365 alnd is yieldingly retained in raised position thereon by means of a spring 464. The skeleton frame 366 is pivotally connected for movements with the actuator shaft 94 of the machine on a collar 312 by means of a pin 3H, and is carried for a forward and rearward sliding movement upon the operating and return stroke of the actuator shaft 94, being guided on a stud 361 fixed to the side plate 29 and which extends into an elongated slot opening 368 of the skeleton frame.

The depending arm 201 is engaged by the pawl 363 upon the return stroke of the actuator shaft 94 and causes a rocking movement of the stud 208 and shaft 55 which in turn causes the pinsv 206 carried on this shaft 55 to engage the ears 54a of the slide locks 54 and cause them to be carried therewith for a given distance. Each of the slide locks 54 are connected to a slide 40 by means of an ear 53, and as the shaft 55 is rocked by means of the engagement of the arm 201 with the pawl 363, a. forward sliding movement of all of the slides 40 will be had. This forward sliding movement of the slides 40 will cause the forward edge of the slot openings 4| to be moved away from the shoulder 31 of the depressed keys 3| and render them free to be restored to their normal positions under the tension of their springs 35 and clear the keyboard- As the keys 3| are released to be restored to their normal positions, the cam surface 36 thereof will be carried out of engagement with the slot openings 49 in the lower slide 48 and permit this slide to .be restored to its normal position by means of its spring 50 and will also restore the zero stops 58 connected thereto and the type bar stops 65 which are engaged thereby.

As shown in the drawings, each of the type bars 15 are provided with a plurality of steps. 11 forming stops which abut the ends 33a of the depressed keys 3| for limiting its rearward movement over a platen 399 which is carried for turn-- ing movements with a shaft 400 that is journaled in and carried for bodily swinging movements on 10 the arms 402 which are each fixed to a stud shaft 404 that are pivotally mounted on each of the side plates 29 of the machine. The type bars 15 are each provided with a set of type 82 arranged from 0 to 9 thereon which is positioned in 5 a printing line B in accordance with the keys depressed for receiving an impact of the platen 399 to record the type of the selected type bars.

The type bars 15 are carried for reciprocating movements on a shaft 18 extending through an 20 elongated slot opening 19 therein and at its other end in the combs 8| and 83. The type bars 15 are normally retained in locked position by means of an arm I which is pivotally carried on a shaft I01 and extends into the path of a lug |6I fixed to the type bar. The arm I60 has an integral depending arm I54 which extends into the path of travel of a shaft |50 which is pivotally carried for rocking movements and which is also bodily movable with the actuator shaft 94 30 so that upon the operation stroke of the machine, this shaft |50 will normally engage the arm I54 and rock the integral arm I60 therewith out of the path of the lug |6| of the type bar and release the same upon the starting stroke of 3d the actuator 94 and permit the type bars that have been released from the type bar stop 65 to be carried for movement therewith until arrested by the zero stops 58 or the depressed digit keys 3|. An arm |60--|54 is provided for each 40 of the type bars and they are also connected for movement with each other in their lower order by means of an extension |54a overlying the adjacent arm of higher order. These arms are retained in the path of the shaft I50 by means of 45 a spring I56 attached thereto and to a crossmember I51. The shaft |50 forms an eccentric member when rocked and is adapted to be bodilyv moved for engagement or non-engagement with the lock arms I54 during the rocking movements 50 of the actuator shaft 94.

Each of the type bars 15 is provided with a relatively long guide slot 84 which serves to guide a driving rack 85 for sliding movements therein by means of the studs 89 and 81 secured 55 adiacent each end of the rack. A tension spring 88 is secured to the rack and to the type bar and serves to drive the type bar as the rack is moved. The racks 85 are each in meshing engagement with a rack gear 90 fixed for turning movements 60 with the shaft 9| which has a similar gear fixed thereto that is adapted to be engaged by a. segmental gear 93 fixed to the actuator shaft 94 and which is adapted to be brought into meshing engagement with the gear upon the movement of 65 said actuator shaft for effecting a movement of the racks 85 and a movement of the released type bars 15 therewith. During total or sub-total operations, the arms |54-|60 are released by the totalizer units when the totalizers are moved for 70 engagement with the type bars. These totalizer units are not shown, but are clearly illustrated in the parent application, Serial No. 717,156filed March 24, 1934.

A bank of signal keys are arranged for independent movements adjacent one side of the keyboard and serve to control the positioning of a signal type bar and also control the positioning filed March 24, 1934, Serial No. 717,156. A pair of manually adjusted control keys or levers 315 and i 376 are also arranged adjacent the keyboard and eifect the positioning of the pawls 363 and 364 carried on the skeleton frame 366 to effect the release or non-release of a depressed signal key and the release or non-release of the digit keys of the keyboard upon the restoring operation of the actuator.

The signal type bar I83 is supported adjacent one side of the type bars on the shaft 18 and in the combs 8| and 83 and is provided with a plu- 'rality of stops I86 for limiting its rearward movement to position the type I84 thereof in the printing line B over the platen 399. A rack I88 is slidably carried in an elongated slot opening I81 by means of a pair of studs I89 and I90 which are fixed to the rack I88 and which extend through the slot opening I81. A relatively long tension spring I9I is connected to the rack I88 and to a pin I92 fixed to the signal type bar I83 which urges this bar rearwardly so thatthe end I81a of the slot I81 thereof is retained against the stud I89 of the rack I 88.

The signal type bar is independently driven by means of a gear I93 which is loosely mounted on the gear shaft SI and is in meshing engagement with the rack I88. The gear I93 is also in meshing engagement with a control segment I5I fixed to the actuator shaft 94 so that upon each movement of the actuator shaft, the rack I88 will cause the movement of the signal bar I83 therewith 40 when the same is released by the depression of one of the signal keys or when withheld, the rack may be moved in advance thereof against the tension of the spring I9I.

The positioning of the signal type bar I83 for selectively positioning one of the type I 84 thereon in the printing line is automatically accomplished by means of a stop pin 241 under the control of the signal keys which is adjustably positioned into the path of the stops I86 0f the signal type bar and limit its rearward movement i over the platen 399 in accordance with the signal key depressed.

The signal keys consist of a total key 2I I, a sub-total key 2I2 and a subtraction key 2 I3 which are pivotally supported to the side wall 29 of the machine on the studs 2IIa, 2I2a, and 2I3a respectively. These keys are each connected to vertically extending levers 2I4, 2I5, and 2I6 by means of the pins 222,223, and 224 respectively which are fixed to the respective keys and which extend into the cam slot openings 2I9, 220, and 22I respectively of the vertically extending levers. Each of the vertically extending levers is pro vided with a pin 225, 226, and 221 respectively which extend into the vertical slot openings 228, 229, and 230 of a pair of arm members 23I and 232 which are pivotally supported on the stud 2I3a and provide a scissor action to form a looking means for the pins 225, 226, and 221 respectively of the vertically extending levers. The outer member 23I is provided with horizontal slot openings 234, 235, and 236 positioned somewhat above the lower end of the elongated vertical slots 228, 229, and- 238, and 239.

239 and form cam shoulders 231, The cam shoulders form means for member 232 depressing the member 23I as the pins or followers 225, 226, and 221 of the vertically disposed levers 2I4, 2I5, and 2I6 are caused to move as their respective signal keys are depressed. The horizontally extending slot openings 234, 235, and 236, respectively, connect with and extend rearwardly on one side of each of the vertical slot openings toward the pivotal center 2I3a, permitting the pins or followers of each of the vertical levers to be moved therein in a sidewise direction upon the depression of either the total, sub-total or subtraction keys. The horizontally extending slot openings 235a and 236a in the inner member 232 are arranged in side by side relation with the horizontal slot openings 235 and 236 in themember 23I and are relatively larger to permit of clearance for the movement of the followers 226 and 221 and are each provided with a depending V-shaped extension 240 on their top edge portion adapted to extend into the path of the followers. The free end of the member 232 is also provided with a V-shaped extension 240 that extends into the path of the horizontal slot opening 234 to engage the follower 225 in the same manner as those above described for the followers 226 and 221. As one of the signal keys 2, 2I2, or 2I3 is depressed the corresponding follower will be moved therewith over the cam portion and abut the V-extension of the inner member 232 and cause the same tomove upwardly until the follower has passed this V-extension and permit the to be drawn downwardly by means 243 connected thereto and to the outer member 23I. The follower passing over the cam portion will force the member 23I to move downwardly until this follower is aligned with its respective horizontal slot opening and will be retained therein by means of the V-extension on the member 232. 7

As one of the signal keys is locked in the manner described, the remaining signal keys will be locked against depression by means of the movement of the member 23I under the control of the depressed key which positions the member 23I for misalignment with the remaining followers of the vertically extending levers. The misalignment being effective by the depression of any one of the signal keys which positions the remaining horizontal slot openings in the member 23I out of of its spring alignment with the remaining followers carried on the vertical levers.

The pair of members 23I and 232 are normally urged upwardly by means of a tension spring 245 connected to the member 23I and to the side wall of the machine. It will be noted that the spring 245 attached to the member 23I urges the same for an upward rocking movement on the pivot 2I3a while the spring attached to the member 232 urges the same downwardly on this pivot 2I3a and the spring 243 urges the members for a scissor-action in opposite directions while being yieldingly retained by the spring 245 for retaining the followers in the vertically aligned slot openings therein during their normal positions and for retaining them into the horizontal slot openings when actuated.

The vertically extending levers 2I4, 2I5, and 2| 6 are operatively connected to shift members 249, 250, and 25I by means of the studs 255, 256, and 251 and are arranged to be moved rearwardly upon the depression of either of the signal keys 2I I, 2I2, or 2I3. The rearward movement of the shift members 249 and 250 effects the positioning of a restoring arm 282 which is connected for movement with the shift member 250 at Ni and is adapted to be engaged by the member 249.

The inner shift member 25! is moved with the shift members 249 and 250 when the total or subtotal keys are depressed, but will remain dormant or in its normal at rest position when the subtraction key 2I3 is depressed. This shift member 25I is provided with an elongated slot opening 285 that extends rearwardly of the stud 251 on the vertical lever 2I6 and is of suiiicient lengthto permit of a free movement of the stud therein as the vertical lever 2I6 is rocked upon the depression of the subtraction key 2 I3. This shift member 25I has an extending portion 286 adapted to 5 engage the depending arm 201 upon its movement for rocking the slide lock shaft 55 and causing a forward sliding movement of the slides 40 to release the digit keys.

A non-add key 262 is also connected with the shift member 250 vby means of a bell-crank 269 which has a pin 214 fixed thereto that extends through a slot 215 in the key 262. The bell-crank 269 also has a pin 261 which extends through a slot 266 in a rocker arm 263 and which is pivoted to the side plate 29 on a Stud :64 with its other end connected to the shift member 250 by means of a pin 265. The bell-crank 269 is also operatively connected to a bell-crank 281 that is pivoted to the side plate 29 on a stud 289 and which has 30 a leg 391 that carries a pin 396.. The pin 396 normally engages the extension 298 of a hook member 299 carried on a control member 30I by a pin 300. This hook member 299 serves to connect the control member 30I with a regulating device I09 that is operatively connected to effect the engagement and disengagement of the totalizer units (not shown) with the type bars 15, as the control member 30I is moved upon the operation of the machine. As the non-add key 262 is depressed, the bell-cranks 269 and 281 will be rocked and the pin 396 will rock the hook member 299 to disengage the regulating device I09 from the control member 30 I, which permits the totalizer units to remain in their normal positions out of engagement 'th the type bars, so that, as the machine is operated, the amounts set up in'the keyboard will not be run into the totalizer units.

The restoring arm 282 is pivotally supported on the side plate 29 by means of a stud 283 with its lower free end portion 284 adapted to be engaged by the pawl 364 carried on the pin 365 adjacent the pawl 363 on the skeleton frame 366.

During the normal operations of the machine, the pawls 363 and 364 are adapted to engage the arms 201 and 282 respectively for causing a rocking movement thereof to restore the depressed digit keys 3| to their normal positions and to restore the shift members and the vertically extending lever to its normal position which will cause the depressed signal key coacting therewith to be released and restored to its normal position.

The keys or levers 315 and 316 arepivotally carried for rocking movements on the stud 311 flxed to the side plate 29 and have their lower end portion formed with'a cam surface 318 and a dwell 319 which are adapted to engage the pins 313 and 314 respectively of the pawls 363 and 364. While in their normal positions, the levers 315 and 316 are free of engagement with the pins 913 and 314 of the pawls, and when moved, the cam surfaces 318 riding over these pins 313 and 314 will cause these pawls 363 and 364 to-be rocked downwardly against the tension of their springs as and 465 and will be retained in that position bymeans of their contact with the dwell 31s or.

the levers 315 and 316. These levers 315 and 316 may be moved independently of each other for selectively positioning the pawls 363 or 364 into or out of engagement with their respective arms 201 and 282. The movement of the lever 315 permits the digit keys 3i to remain depressed for repeat operations of the keyboard or to be cleared when this lever remains in its normal position. The movement of the lever 316 permits the signal key depressed to remain depressed for repeat operations or to be cleared when this lever remains in its normal position.

The shift member 249 is provided with a depending lug 390 which is adapted to be brought into engagement with an car 394 extending into the path thereof and which is formed integrally on a depending arm 39I which is adapted to normally engage a stud 395 fixed to a bell-crank 396 which is secured to the shaft I50. The movement of the shift member 249 controls the movement of the depending arm 29I to cause a pivotal movement of the shaft or eccentric member I50 to position the flattened portion I52 thereof toward the depending arms I54 and prevent their engagement with this shaft I50 as the same is caused to be bodily moved upon the movement of the actuator shaft 94. As the flattened portion I52 of the shaft I50 is in this turned position, the arms I54 will remain in their normal positions and retain the integral arm I60 thereof in locked position with the lug I6I of the type bars 15 and prevent its movement with the operating mechanism upon the movement of the actuator shaft 94.

While I have described and shown my invention in its preferred form, there are many changes and variations which may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire to include all such changes and variations within the scope of my claims.

I claim:-

1. In an adding machine, the combination of a driving mechanism with a plurality of type bars operable thereby, lock arms normally preventing movement of the type bars, said lock arms having depending portions thereon, a member carried by the driving mechanism and normally in the path of said depending portions to engage the same with and rock the lock arms to release said lock arms from the type bars upon the operating stroke of the driving mechanism.

2. The combination of a series of independently movable type bars, a platen, driving means for moving the type bars with respect to the platen, a releasable type bar lock armnormally retaining each type bar in locked position, shift members, a bank of keys controlling the movements of the shift members, a pivotally supported bodily movable member operable from the driving means adapted to normally engage said lock arms to effect their release from the type bars, and means under the control of the shift members for rendering said movable member ineffective with respect to said lock arms.

- 3. In an adding machine of-tlre character described, the combination of a driving mechanism and sliding type bars adapted to be reciprocated thereby, a lock arm retaining each type bar locked in normal position, a pivotally mounted member carried by the driving mechanism adapted when bodily moved to engage and release the lockarms, shift members, keys controlling the movements of said shift members, and means coacting with said shift members positioning said pivotallymounted member to be free of said lock arms.

of said keys the member arms.

will be free of said lock lock arms arranged in such the adjacent arm said lever means when latched members to permit the return of anal key.

a depressed sigmeans including a slide connecting the keys with said member whereby upon the depression of any MAX GARBELL. 

